Description
Book SynopsisIn a comprehensive portrait of the corporate culture that unites Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries, Lawrence A. Cunningham unearths the traits that assure the its continued prosperity. Rich with lessons for those wishing to profit from the Berkshire model, this book is a valuable read for entrepreneurs, business owners, managers, and investors.
Trade ReviewCunningham is a writer and scholar well known to the Berkshire Hathaway faithful, and he was Warren Buffett's pick for cataloging and organizing Berkshire's famous annual reports. Now he has taken us in a new direction, directly into the purchases of companies made by Buffett. An insightful and important book. -- Robert Hagstrom, author of
The Warren Buffett WayHow did Warren Buffett build such a great firm? To unravel this mystery, Cunningham takes a deep dive inside the culture of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries, highlighting the values of integrity, kinship, and autonomy—and revealing how building moats around the castles may help the firm outlast its visionary founder. -- Adam Grant, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, author of
Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to SuccessBerkshire Hathaway's trajectory has been so seamless that Warren Buffett's professional transition has gone almost unnoticed. The man who began his business life as a precocious 'stock picker' has morphed into the chief executive of one of the largest collections of businesses in the world. Lawrence A. Cunningham's book astutely chronicles this development. -- From the foreword by Tom Murphy, Berkshire Hathaway director and former CEO of ABC, Inc.
An absolute must-read for advisors... this book is one of the great chronicles of corporate history...[an] excpetional volume. [Ranked sixth best book of the year] * Financial Advisor *
A timely contribution to a swelling debate
an encyclopedic history of the group's operating businesses. * Financial Times *
A detailed study of Berkshire's portfolio and an intriguing profile of the Sage of Omaha's approach to management, not just investment. * The Times *
Important, insightful, and clearly written... a major contribution to the management literature, this book should be read by managers of all organizations, business professors and students, business owners, and investors. * Choice *
There is much to learn from Mr. Cunningham's stories about the companies that Berkshire Hathaway owns. * The Economist *
If you're fascinated with growth strategies, you'll find few books more valuable. * Independent Agent *
A worthy read. * strategy+business *
Table of ContentsForeword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One1. Origins
2. Diversity
3. Culture
Part Two4. Budget-conscious and Earnest
5. Reputation
6. Kinship
7. Self-starters
8. Hands-off
9. Investor Savvy
10. Rudimentary
11. Eternal
12. All One
13. Berkshire's Portfolio
Part Three14. Succession
15. Challenges
16. B.E.R.K.S.H.I.R.E.
Epilogue
Appendix
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
